WAYN (AM)

WAYN
Frequency900 kHz
BrandingPioneer Voice of the Carolina Sandhills
Programming
FormatAdult contemporary
Ownership
OwnerWAYN Incorporated
History
First air date
September 1946
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID71152
ClassB
Power1,000 watts (day)
297 watts (night)
Transmitter coordinates
34°55′30″N 79°44′35″W / 34.92500°N 79.74306°W / 34.92500; -79.74306
Links
Public license information

WAYN (900 AM) is a radio station based in Rockingham, North Carolina. The station plays a variety of adult contemporary and easy listening music.

With a daytime transmission power of 1,000 watts, and a night time transmission power of 297 watts. WAYN broadcasts from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.[2]

History

WAYN was founded in 1946 by Wayne M. Nelson of Mooresville, North Carolina. It is one of North Carolina’s earliest radio stations and was the first FCC licensed radio station between Charlotte and Fayetteville.[3]

The first voice heard on the station was that of Robert D. Raiford, who later became a commentator for John Boy and Billy.

In 2006, morning host Jimmy Smith celebrated 55 years on the station.[4] He was 16 when he started, and still on the air at 76 to celebrate 60 years.[5] Mayor Eugene McLaurin declared Jimmy Smith day in 2001 for his 50th anniversary. Smith retired in 2013 after 62 years.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WAYN". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ Richmond County Chamber of Commerce - retrieved on November 16, 2006
  3. ^ "About WAYN". WAYN 900. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  4. ^ Mark Washburn, "55 Years Helping His Town Wake Up - Jimmy Smith Is Voice of the Morning on Rockingham Station," The Charlotte Observer, May 6, 2006.
  5. ^ Mark Washburn, "C-SPAN looks at Charlotte this weekend," The Charlotte Observer, September 24, 2011.
  6. ^ Barry Saunders, "Mornings aren't the same in Rockingham without radio voice of Jimmy Smith," News & Observer, October 9, 2013.


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